Chivas vs. America 2015: Final score 1-1, C.D. Guadalajara stays top

They couldn’t get all three points, but Chivas Guadalajara will be satisfied with their performance against Club America in Sunday’s Super Clásico. If it weren’t for a goal of the season candidate from Paul Aguilar, they might have won, but instead had to settle for a 1-1 draw. That’s good enough to keep them top of Liga MX, while America are on the edge of Liguilla.

Aguilar’s stunner was the first real big event of the game, and Chivas can be forgiven for not closing him down. He had all kinds of time and space to take his shot, but he’s also a wingback who averages a couple goals a season, and was 35 yards away from goal. But he ripped a perfect shot, and Luis Michel had no chance to make a save.

Each team had another decent chance to score before halftime. Moises Muñoz made a very good save on Omar Bravo in the 24th minute, while Dario Benedetto fluffed his lines in front of goal just ahead of the break.

The match was littered with injuries, and both teams had to make two subs before the hour mark that were at least partially influenced by fitness. America might have made a defensive sub at halftime regardless, but Paolo Goltz coming on for Rubens Sambueza was definitely influenced by an injury to the Argentine attacker. America also had to bring on Cristian Pellerano for Jose Guerrero because of injury in the 54th minute. Chivas put on Aldo de Nigris for Carlos Salcido for tactical reasons in the 58th minute, but Salcido was limping after coming down wrong in the 1st minute and struggled to stay in the match. Three minutes after that, Carlos Salcedo picked up a knock, and was replaced by Nestor Vidrio.

De Nigris’ entrance turned out to be the difference maker in the game. Just five minutes after coming on, he scored Chivas’ equalizer. The veteran forward made an excellent move after he picked up the ball to juke Pablo Aguilar, then got a bit of help from a deflection on his finish, making it impossible for Muñoz to make a stop.

Both teams played out the rest of the match looking fairly content with the draw, but America nearly stole it at the end. Ventura Alvarado had a shot off a set piece in stoppage time, but Michel made an impressive stop to save a point for his team.

Chivas Guadalajara: Michel, Salcido (De Nigris 58’), Ponce, Pereira, Salcedo (Vidrio 61’), Castro, Lopez, Fabian, Brizuela, Fierro (Hernandez 87’), Bravo

Goals: De Nigris (63’)

Club America: Muñoz, Pablo Aguilar, Paul Aguilar, Samudio, Alvarado, Guerrero (Pellerano 54’), Madueña, Sambueza (Goltz 46’), Martinez, Quintero (Arroyo 67’), Benedetto

Goals: Paul Aguilar (16’)